Crochet decorations right on your crocheted projects by using the chain stitch. Work on various Afghan/Tunisian crochet stitches or single crocheted items (or knitted projects for that matter).

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Video: Add Ruffles & Other Decorations

After crocheting your running chain stitch, put your hook under the stitch loops. Use those loops to crochet over so the decoration is attached directly to your project instead of attaching it later.

Crochet a line of running chain stitches and working back over the chain loops with single crochets. This creates a plain, raised edge which can be used as a stem or to create a line design.

In one single crochet loop, make a single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and triple crochet. Then just repeated it in reverse—double crochet, half double crochet, single crochet. It creates a leaf or shell edging.

Make six double crochets in each loop and create a big ruffle. Make it thicker or thinner depending on how many stitches you use. Make it higher or lower depending on the crochet stitch used—a half double crochet, double crochet or triple crochet. Experiment to achieve whatever design you want.

Crochet a flower right on your project. Start in the center and made a spiral with a running chain stitch. When you get to the end (because you’re not at the edge of the item), pull up a loop of yarn from the back next to the last stitch. This is the yarn loop you will be working with. Work back over the running chain with a single crochet in each chain loop. At the center start working out again over the single crochets. For the rose in the picture, I worked four half double crochets in each single crochet, resulting in a thick ruffled rose.

Experiment! Create your own decorations! You can use half double crochets as I did for the rose or use double or triple crochets. You can use less or more stitches in each loop.
If you want, take green yarn and do a running stitch out from the rose. Work back over the running chain with single crochets, adding a stem to the flower. Add leaves to the stem. In short, you can create any design you want just by building on the basic running chain stitch.